Do Groundhogs Eat Zinnias

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably seen the damage. One day your zinnias are thriving, and the next they’re chewed down to the stems. This leads to a very common question: do groundhogs eat zinnias? The answer, unfortunately for flower lovers, is yes. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are voracious eaters and your colorful zinnia bed looks like a tasty buffet to them.

Absolutely. While groundhogs prefer tender greens like beans, peas, and lettuce, they are not picky when hungry. Zinnias, with their relatively soft stems and leaves, often become a target. These rodents eat a wide variety of garden plants, and flowers are not off the menu. They typically feed during the early morning and late afternoon, so you might not catch them in the act.

Why Groundhogs Target Your Garden

Your garden is a perfect food source for a groundhog. It offers a concentrated, easy-to-access meal without the work of foraging in the wild. Groundhogs have a big appetite, especially in spring and summer when they are building up fat reserves. A single groundhog can wipe out a seedling bed overnight or severely damage mature plants like your zinnias.

High-Calorie Need: They need to eat constantly to support their burrowing lifestyle.
Soft Foliage: Young zinnia shoots and leaves are especially tender and appealing.
Convenience: Gardens are often located near their burrow sites in open areas or near wood edges.

Signs a Groundhog is Eating Your Zinnias

It’s important to correctly identify the pest. Other animals like deer, rabbits, or insects can also damage zinnias. Here’s how to tell if it’s a groundhog:

Clean-Cut Damage: Look for stems bitten off at a rough, 45-degree angle. Deer leave a more ragged tear, while rabbits make a clean, sharp cut.
Footprints: Groundhog tracks show four claws on the front feet and five on the back, with a distinctive pigeon-toed pattern.
Burrow Entrance: Look for a large hole (about 10-12 inches wide) near the garden, often with a mound of dirt around it.
Droppings: Their scat is usually oval-shaped and can be found near feeding sites or burrow entrances.

How to Protect Your Zinnias from Groundhogs

Protecting your flowers requires a multi-layered approach. Persistence is key, as groundhogs are clever and determined creatures. Here are the most effective strategies.

1. Install a Sturdy Fence

This is the most reliable long-term solution. A proper fence needs to address both digging and climbing.

Use sturdy wire mesh with openings no larger than 2×4 inches.
Bury the fence at least 12 inches deep, bending the bottom outward into an “L” shape to deter digging.
The fence should be at least 3 feet tall. Consider adding a floppy top section or angling the top outward to prevent them from climbing over.
Electric wire strands near the top and bottom can provide extra discouragement.

2. Use Repellents Effectively

Repellents can work, but they need frequent reapplication, especially after rain. You can use commercial sprays or make homemade ones.

Predator Urine: Available at garden centers, coyote or fox urine can create a fear response.
Spicy Sprays: Mixtures of garlic, hot pepper, and water can deter nibbling. Always test on a few leaves first to ensure it doesn’t harm the plant.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Devices like the ScareCrow startle the animal with a sudden burst of water, conditioning them to avoid the area.

3. Modify Their Habitat

Make your yard less inviting. This involves removing the things that attract groundhogs in the first place.

Clear away brush piles, tall grass, and rock piles where they might hide or start a burrow.
Seal off areas under decks, sheds, and porches with sturdy wire mesh.
If a burrow is active but empty, you can fill it with soil and tamp it down firmly.

4. Live Trapping and Relocation

This is a more hands-on method. Check your local wildlife regulations before attempting, as relocating animals is illegal in some areas.

Use a large, sturdy live trap (at least 10″x12″x30″).
Bait it with fresh vegetables like cantaloupe, lettuce, or sweet corn. Place the trap near the burrow entrance or feeding path.
Check the trap frequently, at least twice a day.
Relocate the groundhog at least 5 miles away in a suitable, rural habitat where it won’t become someone else’s problem.

Plants Groundhogs Tend to Avoid

While no plant is completely “groundhog-proof,” incorporating less palatable plants around your zinnias can offer some protection. These are often plants with strong scents, fuzzy leaves, or toxic properties.

Herbs: Lavender, rosemary, sage, mint, and oregano
Flowers: Daffodils, alliums, foxglove, and monkshood (note: many are toxic to pets and humans too)
Others: Fennel, garlic, and onion

Planting these as a border might encourage a groundhog to look elsewhere for a easier meal, but it’s not a guaranteed fix.

When to Call a Professional

If the groundhog problem is severe, persistent, or the animal has burrowed under a structure, it’s time to call for help. A licensed wildlife control professional has the experience and tools to remove the animal safely and legally. They can also advise on and install permanent exclusion methods to prevent their return, giving you peace of mind.

FAQ: Groundhogs and Zinnias

What other flowers do groundhogs eat?
Groundhogs will eat many common garden flowers. They are especially fond of sunflowers, marigolds, pansies, and impatiens. They tend to avoid very fragrant herbs and toxic plants like daffodils.

Do coffee grounds repel groundhogs?
There is little evidence that coffee grounds are a reliable repellent for groundhogs. While the smell might offer temporary deterrence, it is not a solution most gardeners find effective on it’s own.

Will groundhogs eat zinnia plants to the ground?
Yes, they can. A hungry groundhog will often eat the entire above-ground portion of a young zinnia plant. More mature plants may be partially eaten, leaving stripped stems and damaged foliage.

What time of day are groundhogs most active?
Groundhogs are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. Their peak feeding times are in the early morning and again in the late afternoon, just before dusk.

How can I tell the difference between groundhog and rabbit damage on my zinnias?
Rabbit damage is usually a very clean, sharp cut on stems, almost like they were snipped with scissors. Groundhog bites are more rough and at an angle. Also, rabbit droppings are small, round pellets, while groundhog droppings are larger and oval-shaped.